Side trip to Provincetown!

The season has started, and soon we will be real busy here in Maine.  However, this year, we decided to close down for four nights and visit family and friends in Provincetown.

World famous Provincetown is located on the tip of Cape Cod 195 miles south of Ogunquit. Like Ogunquit, it's roots are in the sea, and salt is in the air. Like Ogunquit, it is a tourist destination filled with artists, gays, and general tourists. The quaint town is dotted with restaurants, art galleries and a variety of lodgings ( Inns, B&B guesthouses etc).

My good friend Jay has a house on Cook Street in the East End, and my nephew Eric also lives in the same neighborhood. Jay's house is a typical Cape Cod shingled contemporary duplex. The top floor has a sitting terrace which overlooks Cape Cod bay. The unit has three bedrooms, a large living room and two bathrooms. It's a perfect place to spend a vacation with family and friends. It's also for rent,  Ptown Vacation Rentals

Third floor terrace view from Jay Crickett's  Three bedroom rental house in the East End. 

Cape Cod National Seashore, miles of trails perfect for running and nature watching. Every morning I ran through some of the trails and byways. Michael and I also enjoyed hiking through the dunes and estuaries.

The "Breakwater" is a 1.2 milestone jetty that connects crosses Provincetown harbor to Wood End Lighthouse. Michael and I crossed the rock dike at low tide and went to the expansive deserted beach. The beach is a long stretch of sand and there are two lighthouses at both ends. The Wood End Lighthouse is now solar powered.

While hiking along the quiet secluded beach we heard a sound of something exhaling. we looked to the sea and we saw a whale that was swimming along the shore line. As I was beach combing, I found a lobster buoy, to my surprise it was from Maine!!

There is plenty to do in P-town during the day, but at night, the vibe is much different than the serene National Seashore. Commercial Street is alive with tourists and sightseers. The famous "Lobster Pot Restaurant"  is a must if you are visiting Provincetown.

This long expansive Ptown institution serves hundreds of pounds of lobster and other sea fare daily. To my surprise they now have a gluten free menu, which is quite expansive and satisfying. I had the baked lobster in butter.

Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco in Miami

"Well, I think we're finally American" Richard Blanco said to his mother after reading his poem at President Obama's inauguration  on January 21, 2013

I saw Richard Blanco at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami this past Friday.  Richard Blanco describes himself as being made in Cuba, born in Spain and growing up in Cuban Miami. Blanco now lives in Bethel Maine with his partner. Blanco's American journey is fascinating yet also inspiring. His poems are a prism of how he sees  life.  Life as an immigrant living in Miami. Life as a gay man, and life as an American growing up in the late 20th century.

Blanco read  some poetry  from (City of a Hundred Fires, Directions to The Beach of the Dead, and Looking for The Gulf Motel). He also read his inaugural poem.

Blanco described how he was picked to be the official poet for President Obama's address. Blanco stated that he did not apply for the position, but was chosen. He described how he read the address in Washington and then turned to his Cuban born mother with limited English skills and said " Well, I think We're finally American". 

My favorite poem was this, which he read:

Looking for The Gulf Motel

Marco Island, Florida

There should be nothing here I don't remember . . .

The Gulf Motel with mermaid lampposts 

and ship's wheel in the lobby should still be 

rising out of the sand like a cake decoration. 

My brother and I should still be pretending 

we don't know our parents, embarrassing us 

as they roll the luggage cart past the front desk 

loaded with our scruffy suitcases, two-dozen 

loaves of Cuban bread, brown bags bulging 

with enough mangos to last the entire week, 

our espresso pot, the pressure cooker—and 

a pork roast reeking garlic through the lobby. 

All because we can't afford to eat out, not even 

on vacation, only two hours from our home 

in Miami, but far enough away to be thrilled 

by whiter sands on the west coast of Florida, 

where I should still be for the first time watching 

the sun set instead of rise over the ocean.

There should be nothing here I don't remember . . .

My mother should still be in the kitchenette 

of The Gulf Motel, her daisy sandals from Kmart 

squeaking across the linoleum, still gorgeous 

in her teal swimsuit and amber earrings 

stirring a pot of arroz-con-pollo, adding sprinkles 

of onion powder and dollops of tomato sauce. 

My father should still be in a terrycloth jacket 

smoking, clinking a glass of amber whiskey 

in the sunset at the Gulf Motel, watching us 

dive into the pool, two boys he'll never see 

grow into men who will be proud of him.

There should be nothing here I don't remember . . .

My brother and I should still be playing Parcheesi, 

my father should still be alive, slow dancing 

with my mother on the sliding-glass balcony 

of The Gulf Motel. No music, only the waves 

keeping time, a song only their minds hear 

ten-thousand nights back to their life in Cuba. 

My mother's face should still be resting against 

his bare chest like the moon resting on the sea, 

the stars should still be turning around them.

There should be nothing here I don't remember . . .

My brother should still be thirteen, sneaking 

rum in the bathroom, sculpting naked women 

from sand. I should still be eight years old 

dazzled by seashells and how many seconds 

I hold my breath underwater—but I'm not. 

I am thirty-eight, driving up Collier Boulevard, 

looking for The Gulf Motel, for everything 

that should still be, but isn't. I want to blame 

the condos, their shadows for ruining the beach 

and my past, I want to chase the snowbirds away 

with their tacky mansions and yachts, I want 

to turn the golf courses back into mangroves, 

I want to find The Gulf Motel exactly as it was 

and pretend for a moment, nothing lost is lost.

After listening to Richard Blanco, my buddy Jay, and I went to Little Havana to our favorite restaurant "Versailles Restaurant" for a little cafecito and a light dinner!  Always worth the trip "Versailles" is open late and is lively with many Cuban-Americans dining, drinking and enjoying late night pastries and coffee!

Pizza in Buenos Aires

Ideas are like pizza dough, made to be tossed around
-Anna Quindlen

Italians invented it, Americans perfected it, and Argentines celebrate it!

Every where you go in Argentina there  are pizzeria's. But these are not like American pizza Parlors.

A big part of Argentina's population is of Italian origin, Some statistics indicate that over 50 percent of Argentina's population is Italian descent. So it's no surprise that Pizzeria's, pasta shops, and other Italian eateries dot the Argentine landscape.

Names like Fugazzo, Roquerot and Faina ( a garbanzo/chick pea bean based pizza that originated in Genova, brought over by the immigrant Italians ) are on almost every menu along with muzzarella and Jamon.

Pizzerias also carry empanadas. An Empanada is basically a hot pockets with minced meat, or chicken.

Pizzeria's are also big hang-outs to watch football ( Soccer) matches. The authentic pizza joints also have   soda water with the syphon cartridges. I have not seen these types of bar accoutrement since the 1960's......

The best party about travelling with my friend Jay, is that he is always up for Pizza. My favorite Pizza place is La Americana Pizzeria. This place is been around for generations. There is table service, or you can get take-away slices and eat standing at the counter. Argentine Pizza places are lively and entertaining.

Jay enjoys Fugazza pizza and anchovy pizza....Fugazza pizza is a white pizza LOADED with savory onions! Brought over by the northern Italians in the late 1800's

Like New Yorkers,  Portenos walk a lot which helps burning off these carbo calories. I do not feel to bad about eating so much here, I am able to run virtually everyday in Recoleta and Palermo.

The Details:

La Americana Pizzeria

Avenida Callao, 83

Buenos Aires

Telefono: 4.371.0202

http://www.pizzerialaamericana.com.ar/

This is one of my favorite pizza parlours in Buenos Aires. Place is busy, entertaining and lively. Prices are quite reasonable.



Side trip to Buenos Aires.....

One cannot accomplish anything without fanaticism. 

     -Evita Peron

Drive 1565 miles to Florida, unpack,  sleep two nights at my house,  repack and jump on a plane for a 9+ hour flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Why? Why not!

My good buddy Jay, is spending the austral summer in south America, so I thought it may be a good chance to catch-up with my good friend. It will be fun to hang out at some familiar haunts, and just enjoy the start of the south American summer.

I have always enjoyed this beautiful city. It's only been a couple of days, since we closed the inn for the winter,  and trekked down to Florida. My head is spinning, but what the heck!!

I enjoy Buenos Aires this time of year: the Jacaranda's are in full bloom, and the city is alive with people sitting at outside cafes for endless hours. This is my fourth trip to this beautiful city, it will be like visiting an old friend.

So here I am at Jay's place in Recoleta, time for some summer adventure!

Catfish Deweys Seafood Restaurant Review

Our time in South Florida is waning, so its time to try to hit some of our favorite restaurants before we head north to Maine. We decided to visit one of our perennial favorites: Catfish Deweys Seafood Restaurant.

As a New Englander, always living close to the ocean, I really do enjoy a good seafood platter every once in a while....
Catfish Deweys located on Andrews Avenue on Oakland Park has been serving tons of farm raised catfish, gulf shrimp, stone crabs and scallops for over 27 years. Our friend, Gail is a server there, so Mike, Jay and I decided that all-you-can-eat Shrimp Tuesday would be a good day to visit this uniquely American haunt (actually any day is a good day to visit Catfish Deweys).

There is always a line at Catfish  Deweys, so it best to go a bit early. The restaurant lacks the charming curb appeal some of the newer eateries entice you with. However their enticement lies in the comfort southern style seafood. The dining room is large and well lit. If you are looking for a quiet romantic place to woo a date, this may not be the place. This is a place with red and white checkered table clothes, ice-tea and mounds of comfort food.

My buddy, Jay and I got the "all you can eat" shrimp/catfish/clam strips. Whats unique about  Catfish Deweys is that the shrimp are lightly battered with beer, and not overcooked. A side of rice, and salad accompanied the heaping plate....I am not a fan of catfish, but surprsingly the catfish is tasty here. The shrimp are perfect a nice medley of peel and fried shrimp accompanied the mounds of clamstrips and catfish.
Catfish Deweys serves a large volume of people nightly, so you know that the seafood is fresh, and the frying oil is changed often....

The Details:
Catfish Deweys
4003 North Andrews Avenue
Oakland Park, FL 33309
Telephone: 954 566 5333
Prices $12.95 to $19.95 ( all you can eat shrimp $16.95)
http://catfishdeweys.com/
On line Menu
Parking available, there is also satellite parking at neighboring business. Very casual atmosphere. Crowd tends to be a south Florida mix of locals, visitors and French Canadians. Lively bar, with sports/music and news. Busy lunch crowd, and an early bird menu us available too. Website is pretty good, with specials, and there was a free appetiser coupon. Service is great. Much of the staff has been there for many years.

Quality Diner of Fort Lauderdale Review

Its a ritual that takes place all over the USA:  a big Sunday morning breakfast! My buddy, Jay was raving about the "Quality Diner" of Wilton Manors. So, Mike and I decided to meet Jay at the "Quality" for a hearty breakfast after our morning run on Fort Lauderdale beach!

Over the years, I never got a chance to try this place out. The generic marquee sign with the standard pizza-box-caricature-chef turned me off....But to my surprise, the inside of the diner was modern, clean and well lit. The diner is Greek owned, so there are faux Doric columns and wonderful pictures of Greek villages that adorn the walls.

I tried the "turkey" omelet. I was quite happy with the omelet. According to the menu, all omelets are made with four eggs, and fresh ingredients. The turkey was fresh chunks of white turkey meat! The meal was accompanied by a side of home fries, wheat toast. Coffee was bottomless!!

My buddy Jay tried the "country fried steak" with homemade biscuit and gravy on the side.,....

All in all, the quality diner is good. Its a good value. Prices are moderate and actually relatively cheap during the weekdays with various specials. Menu is extensive with lunch and dinner with many "Greek-American" favorites. There is a turkey dinner special that I would like to try for only $9.95.

The Details:

1417 Northeast 26th Street

Wilton Manors, FL 33305

Telephone 954-564-2858
Prices are cheap to moderate. Located next to Wilton Station near "Five Points" in Wilton Manors. Servers are friendly and chatty. Will go again, just to try the turkey dinner!

Fort Lauderdale Rental

Walk to beach villa rental, available Now....

Once again, New England and New York are getting pounded with unrelenting snow, and it's days like today that I am  often asked, "Where should I stay, while visiting Ft Lauderdale?"
Well, now I know how to answer that question. My friend Jay, has a nice two bedroom, two bathroom "villa" type unit available near the beach.

The unit features a yard, a shared pool, and is only 150 yards from the beach. It's an easy walk to the beach, and minutes from  trendy Las Olas Bloulevard.

Washer and dryer on property. Full kitchen, livingroom and ensuite bathroom in the masterbedroom. There is plenty to do, with lazy days by the beach or taking it easy by the pool.

Unit is available by the week, month or for the season. For rate quote, call Jay @ 954.551.8621 or email him @ judecrickett@gmail.com

Unit is located on 33rd Ave and 23rd Street, next to the popular former gay frinedly Sandra Lee Motel.

Side trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina

With the B&B closed for the winter, November is when we start to travel! I decided to visit my good friend Jay in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Jay usually rents a condo in Buenos Aires for a month or two. This year he rented a condo on Ave Santa Fe in Barrio Norte, which is close to the Recoleta neighborhood.







The Condo was modern and located on the 11th floor. Here is a view at night from the balcony.
Avenida de Santa Fe is one of the busiests streets in Buenos Aires. Its five lanes of traffic and a busy commercial district. Ave Santa Fe has numerous restaurants, bars, cafe's and stores!

November is late spring and the Jacaranda trees were in full bloom.

Eating in Buenos Aires is quite a  gastronomical  experience. The country is blessed with an abundance of food. Beef rules, with pasta also reining. Fifty percent of Argentina claims Italian ancestry; so Italian food is quite common and good. Breakfast is light, usually an espresso and a "medialuna" ( croissant).
This dish of ravioli and calamari is my lunch!  Wine is cheaper than bottled bottle water!

"Merienda" is between 5 and 6 o'clock. Strong espresso served with a light snack or cookie is what the "Porteños" enjoy. Virtually all cafe's and fast food places serve a snack with coffee.
Dinner is always after 10pm ( and midnight on weekends!).  Most restaurants do not open till 8pm. The days are long in Buenos Aires and the nights are longer!

Eating "Fugazza" pizza at midnight with soda water from the old syphons...Life is good in Buenos Aires!



Blogger/Innkeeper Greg & Jay enjoy late night Pizza